- Community Foundation Network
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Community Foundation Network (CFN) is a registered charity[1] that leads a movement of community foundations committed to positive social change in the UK through the development of “community philanthropy”. Community philanthropy involves people from all parts of a community working together locally to use the financial and other resources available to them to improve others’ lives.[2]
CFN also has a role as national membership association for community foundations which encompasses negotiating and managing national grant-making and funding opportunities on behalf of its members and providing direct technical assistance to member community foundations through its network. As a membership organisation its work is governed and directed by a board drawn from its members.
With more than £160m in endowed funds and providing about £70m in grants a year, community foundations manage funds donated by both individuals and organisations, while creating endowments and connecting donors to local needs.[3]
Contents
Community foundations
See also: community foundationsCommunity foundations are independent registered philanthropic institutions serving geographically defined territory. They act as grant-making foundations, giving grants to support development projects. Their mission is to improve the quality of life in a community. They are supported by a broad range of private as well as public donors and seek philanthropic contributions primarily from inside the community. They are governed by local boards and build capital endowment with the aim to ensure funding capability in perpetuity.[4]
History
The first community foundation to be founded in the UK was Swindon in 1975. This later merged with the Wiltshire Community Trust to form the present Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon. By 2010 there were 58 community foundations in the United Kingdom that cover 95% of the country.[5]
The CFN was established in 1991 to stimulate the growth of new community foundations, develop and co-ordinate a code of good practice and encourage foundations to share knowledge across the UK.[6] In 2001 the CFN received major recognition when community foundations were chosen by the Government’s Children and Young People’s Unit as the best partners for the Local Network Fund.[7] In 2003 the CFN was chosen as the trustee of the Fair Share Trust programme, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund.[8] In 2006 a Quality Accreditation (QA) programme was established by the CFN .The Charity Commission for England and Wales endorses the QA standards and processes in a three-year cycle, which notes the focus on quality in all aspects of community foundation work.
In the last five years community foundations have generated £200 million of new private giving for communities and have helped government and other agencies invest £300 million. They support 1,800 donor clients, have £215m of endowed funds under their management, and every year around 20,000 community charities are funded across the UK. There are 3,500 volunteers that provide national and local grassroots information; they are supported by 400 staff. There have been ten foundations that have received one-off donations exceeding £1 million during this period.
Programmes and funding
CFN is responsible for ensuring the implementation of the £50 million UK-wide Fair Share Trust programme, funded by the Big Lottery Fund. On behalf of Comic Relief they distribute some of the funds raised through Red Nose Day and Sport Relief through the network of local community foundations.[9] 48 community foundations are Local Funders for Grassroots Grants, a government programme comprising an £80 million grant programme and a £50 million endowment match challenge.[10] CFN also manages the grants component of the Mars in the Community investment programme to 2010 with employee involvement.
Most recently CFN has partnered with the Evening Standard’s Dispossessed Campaign which has raised £5million to be distributed to local charities and projects within London.[11]
Partnerships
CFN acts as an umbrella to promote and support philanthropy in the UK and has a number of partnerships:
The Beacon Fellowship
See also: Beacon FellowshipThe Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust was established to encourage individual contributions to charitable and social causes and to celebrate and showcase best practice in giving. It awards prizes for philanthropy, now managed by CFN, which recognises individuals who have transformed other people’s lives through their gifts of time, skills and money. Previous winners have included Jamie Oliver, Sir Bob Geldof and Zac Goldsmith.[12]
See also: Big Lottery FundCFN is responsible for using its local giving expertise to ensure the effective implementation of the £50 million UK-wide Fair Share Trust (FST) programme, funded by the Big Lottery Fund. The Fair Share Trust’s aim is to build community skills, confidence, experience, and networks to improve local neighbourhoods. They help local communities to make a difference, by putting regeneration into their hands. The network of 29 local delivery partners works with communities in 80 neighbourhoods across the UK.[13]
Localgiving.com
See also: Localgiving.comLocalgiving.com is a social enterprise and Limited Company that operates as a not-for-profit. Localgiving.com was founded in 2008 by Marcelle Speller and is jointly owned by Community Foundation Network and the Ardbrack Foundation; both are registered charities and 50% shareholders.
Localgiving.com is a website for local charities and community groups to raise money, awareness and support. It allows registered and unregistered charities to claim Gift Aid as all donations are processed through their local community foundation which vets each group. The website allows supporters and donors to search for and find small charities and voluntary organisations in their community.[14]
References
- ^ Community Foundation Network, Registered Charity no. 1004630 at the Charity Commission
- ^ George Hepburn OBE, "The future of community philanthropy: More than pantomimes and football shirts", "Philanthropy UK", September 2007
- ^ "The Philanthropy Directory", "Philanthropy UK", Retrieved December 23, 2010
- ^ About us at communityfoundations.org.uk
- ^ Our history at communityfoundations.org.uk
- ^ Maria Clegg, "A new philanthropy - Marion Webster, Director, Community Foundation Network", "Third Sector", March 26, 2003
- ^ Maria Clegg, "A new philanthropy - Marion Webster, Director, Community Foundation Network", "Third Sector", March 26, 2003
- ^ Meet the team at fairsharetrust.org
- ^ Roxanne Clark, “Sports programme tackles local issues”, “Philanthropy UK”, December 3, 2008
- ^ Cheryl Chapman, “Legislating for philanthropy: government and giving”, “Philanthropy UK”, September 2009
- ^ Mark Prigg, "The Dispossessed: Nick Clegg praises the generosity of Londoners", "Evening Standard", December 14, 2010
- ^ Beacon Awards 2010 - Winners Announced at www.beaconfellowship.org.uk
- ^ Fair Share at biglotteryfund.org.uk
- ^ Ginny Ware, "Marcelle helps buccaneers sign up to online giving site" "Herald Express", November 11, 2010
External links
Categories:- Charities based in the United Kingdom
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